Everywhere! It was a sunny, gorgeous Valentine's Day yesterday, and the Bright-Eyed-Bushy-Tails of Vancouver, Canada and the world descended upon downtown. I have never seen downtown Vancouver look like that before - streams and streams of people everywhere. Even the areas that were shut down to traffic to create pedestrian corridors were crowded. Robson and Granville was incredible - people packed as far as I could see in every direction.
It is not unexpected, but it does feel a little bizarre, as though my city has become a theme park where everyone was told to show in up in a patriotic uniform. Most decided to obey. The line up to get into the Bay (where they have already fixed that broken window) to buy such outfits extended all the way around Georgia and Seymour and back to the Sky Train entrance. It was unbelievable.
And forget about taking the Sky Train. The line up for that extended out the door as well. Even Sky Train stations that I had expected would not get so busy (such as King Edward), had line ups all the way up the stairs and out the door.
The bright side of all of this is that traffic is surprisingly not so bad, and taking the bus is fairly quick. This is also a very easy way to tell who is a local - all the locals are on the buses. And while the tourists wait hours in Sky Train line ups to get downtown, we can zip down on a bus in about twenty minutes. I felt a little bit guilty standing across the street, waiting for the Cambie 15, as I watched the Sky Train line up get longer and longer. Part of me wanted to go over and whisper, "Hey, there is a bus that can take you to the exact same spot for the exact same price, and it is coming in about five minutes." But I resisted the urge - I wanted to have a seat and some breathing room.
In other happy news, Canada is doing well in the Olympics and everyone is in good spirits. Yay for Alexandre Bilodeau! Now at least the people standing in line will have something to chat and smile about.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
And the Protests . . .
Apparently, the helicopter packed warzone-esque downtown of last night has been replaced with a riot-esque place with police and protesters facing off: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2010/02/13/bc-vancouver-olympic-protest.html.
I am sure this story is a bit of an exaggeration, especially since I am fairly certain it was the police who opened the tear gas last night, and not the protesters. But, either way, I am avoiding downtown for now.
I am sure this story is a bit of an exaggeration, especially since I am fairly certain it was the police who opened the tear gas last night, and not the protesters. But, either way, I am avoiding downtown for now.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Let the Games Begin
I tried to get excited and watch the Olympics this morning. It was the end of the torch relay, which I was privileged to see (almost twice), and so it seemed fitting that I should watch the end as it wound its way around the city.
However, after about twenty minutes of listening to the most aggravating reporters on CTV, I started thinking that I couldn’t bear to hear the words “once in a lifetime opportunity” one more time. “Oh and look, they are passing it off again, and isn’t this just an amazing once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity for so-and-so? So-and-so is feeling just elated – look at the smile on So-and-so’s face,” blab blaw blaw. Then, one of the reporters made a mistake so ridiculous I laughed out loud – they made a reference to “Historic Yaletown.” Historic Yaletown? Do you mean the brand new eyelash salon (I kid you not) or the blow-dry hair boutique or the posh doggie spa where little Lassie can get a pedicure? Yaletown is a lovely (if yuppy) part of town, which is definitely worth visiting – but it is about as historic as Britney Spear’s latest haircut.
This evening, my partner and I went downtown to attend a gala event to watch the opening ceremonies in “Historic” Yaletown. The energy on the street was incredible – tons of people in costumes cheering and huddling around bar windows trying to get a view of the opening ceremonies.
Unfortunately, I hadn’t anticipated the whole of the downtown core feeling like a warzone. With all the helicopters flying overhead, I felt this strange sense of impending doom. Then, on our way to Yaletown, we stumbled upon the ongoing protest. There were signs, and a giant green dragon thing, and a giant torch, and literally thousands of people. It was overwhelming.
I stopped to ask what the protest was all about – even though I knew it was about the Olympics – just because I wanted to hear the protester’s side of the story. She was a petite girl, with a sweet face, and certainly didn’t look like a ravaging, balaclava-clad renegade. She carried a simple sign that said “Homes Not Games,” and explained the she opposed the Olympics because the Games were displacing people from their homes and increasing homeless, and were responsible for the creation of laws and security measure that were infringing our civil liberties. She told me that she thought it was a terrible waste of billions of dollars that could otherwise have been spent on social programs. And despite VANOC’s ongoing claim that these are the “greenest” games ever, she didn’t agree. She says that the Olympic Games 40 years ago when people skated on outdoor ice and didn’t cut down any trees or spend millions on new facilities – those games were greener than these games.
Then she told me that she thought she smelled tear gas, so my partner and I quickly made a B-Line for Yaletown, where the gala was in full swing, people sipping wine around candlelit tables. We came in just as Canada was coming out for the opening ceremonies and the whole place went crazy with cheering.
It’s strange being an Olympic fence sitter. It isn’t that I don’t care about the issues – I just see that both sides have valid points. I do think the Olympics has cost too much, and I do wish the government spent that money on social housing and sports programs for children, and other important services like, I don’t know, healthcare. On the other hand, the Olympics are kind of a big deal – everyone gets all excited. For the most part, it’s a huge boost for community morale (I mean, apart from the protesting). One look at the shining, medal-sized eyes of the children watching the torch relay, and my heart melts a little toward the Olympics.
And, those amazing killer whales at the opening ceremonies were pretty impressive too. How did they do that?
However, after about twenty minutes of listening to the most aggravating reporters on CTV, I started thinking that I couldn’t bear to hear the words “once in a lifetime opportunity” one more time. “Oh and look, they are passing it off again, and isn’t this just an amazing once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity for so-and-so? So-and-so is feeling just elated – look at the smile on So-and-so’s face,” blab blaw blaw. Then, one of the reporters made a mistake so ridiculous I laughed out loud – they made a reference to “Historic Yaletown.” Historic Yaletown? Do you mean the brand new eyelash salon (I kid you not) or the blow-dry hair boutique or the posh doggie spa where little Lassie can get a pedicure? Yaletown is a lovely (if yuppy) part of town, which is definitely worth visiting – but it is about as historic as Britney Spear’s latest haircut.
This evening, my partner and I went downtown to attend a gala event to watch the opening ceremonies in “Historic” Yaletown. The energy on the street was incredible – tons of people in costumes cheering and huddling around bar windows trying to get a view of the opening ceremonies.
Unfortunately, I hadn’t anticipated the whole of the downtown core feeling like a warzone. With all the helicopters flying overhead, I felt this strange sense of impending doom. Then, on our way to Yaletown, we stumbled upon the ongoing protest. There were signs, and a giant green dragon thing, and a giant torch, and literally thousands of people. It was overwhelming.
I stopped to ask what the protest was all about – even though I knew it was about the Olympics – just because I wanted to hear the protester’s side of the story. She was a petite girl, with a sweet face, and certainly didn’t look like a ravaging, balaclava-clad renegade. She carried a simple sign that said “Homes Not Games,” and explained the she opposed the Olympics because the Games were displacing people from their homes and increasing homeless, and were responsible for the creation of laws and security measure that were infringing our civil liberties. She told me that she thought it was a terrible waste of billions of dollars that could otherwise have been spent on social programs. And despite VANOC’s ongoing claim that these are the “greenest” games ever, she didn’t agree. She says that the Olympic Games 40 years ago when people skated on outdoor ice and didn’t cut down any trees or spend millions on new facilities – those games were greener than these games.
Then she told me that she thought she smelled tear gas, so my partner and I quickly made a B-Line for Yaletown, where the gala was in full swing, people sipping wine around candlelit tables. We came in just as Canada was coming out for the opening ceremonies and the whole place went crazy with cheering.
It’s strange being an Olympic fence sitter. It isn’t that I don’t care about the issues – I just see that both sides have valid points. I do think the Olympics has cost too much, and I do wish the government spent that money on social housing and sports programs for children, and other important services like, I don’t know, healthcare. On the other hand, the Olympics are kind of a big deal – everyone gets all excited. For the most part, it’s a huge boost for community morale (I mean, apart from the protesting). One look at the shining, medal-sized eyes of the children watching the torch relay, and my heart melts a little toward the Olympics.
And, those amazing killer whales at the opening ceremonies were pretty impressive too. How did they do that?
Thursday, February 11, 2010
The Unexpected Torch
Unexpectedly, I saw the torch go by today. This is one of the interesting phenomena of living in an Olympic host city. The Olympics is all around you, so events that people come from miles around to see might just pass by your door step.
As an Olympic fence-sitter, I haven’t been doing my research on potential spots to see the torch, since I wasn’t planning on going out of my way to see it. Little did I know it would be coming past my house.
I was sitting at my kitchen table, working from home to avoid Olympic traffic madness, when I started hearing loud music and people yelling on loud speakers. Before, I could even say, “what is going on?” my partner came into the room, and said: “Hey the torch is going by.” We put on our shoes and stepped outside just in time to see the happy people dancing on the Coke trucks go past. I thought that was probably it, but the spectators were sticking around, children clapping little inflatable tubes together and all the Olympic fans jumping up and down in their cut-up Canada flag outfits.
We stuck around, and eventually, were rewarded by the passing of a sizable police motorcade and streams of police on bikes. After another few minutes, the torch runners emerged: a pretty blond woman, torch held high, and a team of men in black running around her. The whole thing took about 30 seconds to pass us and the crowd went wild.
Later, on my way downtown to attend another Cultural Olympiad show (Dance Marathon), I passed another mass of people waiting for the Torch, and was given a pretty little Torch Relay pin from a volunteer. I guess I could have hung around to see the torch pass by a second time, but once is enough for one day.
As an Olympic fence-sitter, I haven’t been doing my research on potential spots to see the torch, since I wasn’t planning on going out of my way to see it. Little did I know it would be coming past my house.
I was sitting at my kitchen table, working from home to avoid Olympic traffic madness, when I started hearing loud music and people yelling on loud speakers. Before, I could even say, “what is going on?” my partner came into the room, and said: “Hey the torch is going by.” We put on our shoes and stepped outside just in time to see the happy people dancing on the Coke trucks go past. I thought that was probably it, but the spectators were sticking around, children clapping little inflatable tubes together and all the Olympic fans jumping up and down in their cut-up Canada flag outfits.
We stuck around, and eventually, were rewarded by the passing of a sizable police motorcade and streams of police on bikes. After another few minutes, the torch runners emerged: a pretty blond woman, torch held high, and a team of men in black running around her. The whole thing took about 30 seconds to pass us and the crowd went wild.
Later, on my way downtown to attend another Cultural Olympiad show (Dance Marathon), I passed another mass of people waiting for the Torch, and was given a pretty little Torch Relay pin from a volunteer. I guess I could have hung around to see the torch pass by a second time, but once is enough for one day.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Bright-Eyed, Bushy-Tailed, Wearing Canadian Flag(s)
They’ve arrived. We knew they were coming, but I never thought they would be so easily identifiable. They are the Olympic visitors – people from across Canada, and around the world, I’m sure – who have arrived in the city to partake in the Games and related Olympic festivities.
It is fairly easy to spot a recently arrived Olympic spectator. Simply look for:
1. An abundance of Olympic gear, mostly so far, Canadian Olympic gear, such that the person/people look like their outfit is made up of cutup pieces of a Canadian flag.
2. Red Mittens
3. A look of bright-eyed bushy-tailed excitement (and possibly the slightly unsettled appearance of having no idea where they are going)
For the most part, I love meeting people who are visiting the city and I’m always happy to give directions. The strange thing about these new arrivals is that they project an odd sense of entitlement that I’ve never noticed in tourists before – it is like the City of Vancouver is a theme park to which they have paid admission. They bounce around and yell on the Sky Train, even when there is nothing to yell about (for example, it would be totally appropriate to yell if the Canucks had just scored a goal, then I would understand. But the Canucks have vacated the city due to the Olympics). They also have absolutely no concept of stand right/walk left. It isn’t difficult – if you want to stand on the escalator, you keep to the right, and let all the people who are in a hurry pass by you on the left. Already, I notice that the Sky Trains are getting more crowded and rowdier. I have a feeling that soon I will be a bus user again.
And the Olympics have not even started yet.
It is fairly easy to spot a recently arrived Olympic spectator. Simply look for:
1. An abundance of Olympic gear, mostly so far, Canadian Olympic gear, such that the person/people look like their outfit is made up of cutup pieces of a Canadian flag.
2. Red Mittens
3. A look of bright-eyed bushy-tailed excitement (and possibly the slightly unsettled appearance of having no idea where they are going)
For the most part, I love meeting people who are visiting the city and I’m always happy to give directions. The strange thing about these new arrivals is that they project an odd sense of entitlement that I’ve never noticed in tourists before – it is like the City of Vancouver is a theme park to which they have paid admission. They bounce around and yell on the Sky Train, even when there is nothing to yell about (for example, it would be totally appropriate to yell if the Canucks had just scored a goal, then I would understand. But the Canucks have vacated the city due to the Olympics). They also have absolutely no concept of stand right/walk left. It isn’t difficult – if you want to stand on the escalator, you keep to the right, and let all the people who are in a hurry pass by you on the left. Already, I notice that the Sky Trains are getting more crowded and rowdier. I have a feeling that soon I will be a bus user again.
And the Olympics have not even started yet.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Vancouver Smurf City
The blue coats are arriving en masse now. Blue Olympic coats and large plastic Olympic badges. The city is being invaded by its own citizenry.
The kindly smurf-coloured people you see around town are the Olympic volunteers, and suddenly they are everywhere – outside Sky Train stations, walking down the street, in the grocery store, in the Starbucks – everywhere. It’s the new smurf city. These people are not fence sitters like me. They are full blown blue force supporters. And for the most part, they are all people who already lived here. This is probably a good thing, since I think one of their jobs is to give people directions.
The kindly smurf-coloured people you see around town are the Olympic volunteers, and suddenly they are everywhere – outside Sky Train stations, walking down the street, in the grocery store, in the Starbucks – everywhere. It’s the new smurf city. These people are not fence sitters like me. They are full blown blue force supporters. And for the most part, they are all people who already lived here. This is probably a good thing, since I think one of their jobs is to give people directions.
Friday, February 5, 2010
The Unexpected Calm (Before the Storm?)
Traffic is eerily calm. It is as if out of worries of Olympic chaos, all Vancouverite drivers are getting off the streets early. I went to a play with my partner last night, Beyond Eden, my first Cultural Olympiad event. My partner and I were very excited to attend, and to ensure that we arrived on time, we left extra early in case of Olympic-insanity-rush-hour traffic. But, as it turns out, all our worrying was silly: the streets were clear and the driving was easy. There was a strange sense of emptiness to the roads – an almost luxurious sense of space. Then we arrived 45 minutes early to the theatre and felt a bit ridiculous.
The play, by the way, was incredible.
The play, by the way, was incredible.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Everyone's Gearing Up . . .
As the Olympics get closer, day by day, it seems that everyone wants to talk about it, promoting this interesting new sense of community. And, although much of it is whining (the tickets are so expensive that I can't go to anything, the city is going to be crazy, do you believe transit will be as bad as they say it will be??? - I know, I know, and yes), there is this underlying current of community - a sense that "well, we're in this together now, aren't we?" People on the Sky Train are remarkably chattier and I overhear perfect strangers getting into Olympic discussions on an increasingly reguarly basis.
Adding to the buzz is the fact that Olympic gear is now out in full force. I guess it has been for a while, but I think it has increased doubly in the past week. The London Drugs near my work now has massive displays, and nearly a whole aisle devoted to Olympic mascot "3D slippers". That's right - 3D slippers of made up animals. Is the 3D really necessary? Can someone please tell me if there are any slippers that are not 3D? It seems like it would be rather difficult to put on a pair of 2D slippers.
The other gear is also strange. So strange, I've considered making a list of strangest Olympic themed items, that would go something like this:
1. Olympic mascot 3D slippers
2. Olympic themed Excel gum (to Excelerate your breath to Olympic speeds)
3. Olympic tea towels (which seem to bear no relation to sports whatsoever – it is a bit like McDonald’s being one of the Olympic sponsors, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised).
And the most irritating (if only because they are as over-worn as Britney Spears is overplayed):
1. Those ridiculous red Olympic mittens
I may add to these lists as time goes on.
I also found out today that my work is giving everyone free Olympic scarves and Olympic pins. Since I don't plan on purchasing any Olympic gear, I guess I'm glad that someone is giving me something for free. The scarves aren't exactly fancy, and too small to really be warm, but it is always nice to get a present. I'm certainly not going to picking up any snazzy 3D slippers anytime soon.
Adding to the buzz is the fact that Olympic gear is now out in full force. I guess it has been for a while, but I think it has increased doubly in the past week. The London Drugs near my work now has massive displays, and nearly a whole aisle devoted to Olympic mascot "3D slippers". That's right - 3D slippers of made up animals. Is the 3D really necessary? Can someone please tell me if there are any slippers that are not 3D? It seems like it would be rather difficult to put on a pair of 2D slippers.
The other gear is also strange. So strange, I've considered making a list of strangest Olympic themed items, that would go something like this:
1. Olympic mascot 3D slippers
2. Olympic themed Excel gum (to Excelerate your breath to Olympic speeds)
3. Olympic tea towels (which seem to bear no relation to sports whatsoever – it is a bit like McDonald’s being one of the Olympic sponsors, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised).
And the most irritating (if only because they are as over-worn as Britney Spears is overplayed):
1. Those ridiculous red Olympic mittens
I may add to these lists as time goes on.
I also found out today that my work is giving everyone free Olympic scarves and Olympic pins. Since I don't plan on purchasing any Olympic gear, I guess I'm glad that someone is giving me something for free. The scarves aren't exactly fancy, and too small to really be warm, but it is always nice to get a present. I'm certainly not going to picking up any snazzy 3D slippers anytime soon.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
And Now For A Little More Transit Mayhem . . .
And in the world of increasing paranoia about Olympic traffic, my building just sent out VANOC's request that commuters attempt to arrive downtown before 7am, and plan to leave by 2pm or after 7pm. For more information, see: http://www.vancouver2010.com/more-2010-information/local-business--organization-and-resident-information/transportation-plan-and-maps/
Is this not just a little bit absurd? Suddenly, we are all supposed to work lawyers' hours and if we can't get finished by 2pm, we work a 12 hour day? I realize this may be life as usual for many shift workers, but some of us didn't sign up for this. At least this is only a "request" - a polite suggestions, as it were.
Another polite suggestion is that all deliveries downtown take place between midnight and 6am. I am glad I have no responsibilities related to deliveries: http://www.vancouver2010.com/more-2010-information/local-business--organization-and-resident-information/transportation-plan-and-maps/delivering-goods-and-services-during-the-2010-winter-games/
VANOC has made a number of other "requests" to the citizens of Vancouver, which included leaving their Christmas lights up to promote a sense of "festivity". At least that request only promoted laziness. Sure, I'll leave my lights up for you. It just means I don't have to take them down until it is nearly spring, which will be a much more pleasant time to do it anyway.
Is this not just a little bit absurd? Suddenly, we are all supposed to work lawyers' hours and if we can't get finished by 2pm, we work a 12 hour day? I realize this may be life as usual for many shift workers, but some of us didn't sign up for this. At least this is only a "request" - a polite suggestions, as it were.
Another polite suggestion is that all deliveries downtown take place between midnight and 6am. I am glad I have no responsibilities related to deliveries: http://www.vancouver2010.com/more-2010-information/local-business--organization-and-resident-information/transportation-plan-and-maps/delivering-goods-and-services-during-the-2010-winter-games/
VANOC has made a number of other "requests" to the citizens of Vancouver, which included leaving their Christmas lights up to promote a sense of "festivity". At least that request only promoted laziness. Sure, I'll leave my lights up for you. It just means I don't have to take them down until it is nearly spring, which will be a much more pleasant time to do it anyway.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Code Red Vancouver: Suddenly I Am Living In America
I just found out at work today that my office building will be imposing an American-style security alert system for the duration of the Olympics. The management plan to use this system to let tenants (the nervous office workers) know the level of "threat" on any given day. The system uses colours which correspond to these potential threats.
Now, for security reasons, I can't divulge the actual colour scheme/threat system. However, to give you an idea, it goes something like this:
Green - No threats today (yay!)
Yellow - Proceed with caution because there is a potential, unknown, minor threat, possibly a protest (those damn protesters, always wanting to exercise their right to free speech. How dare they threaten my office building with their cardboard signs and chanting cries).
Orange - A definite threat of some kind in the area, such as a nearby building.
Red - A direct threat to the building itself, as in a bomb threat.
One would hope that they do not actually plan to send out this Code Red colour alert throughout the building. One would hope, that if there is a bomb threat, workers are told not to enter the building or are evacuated from the building to stand around outside or take a long lunch. I don't really care for the idea of receiving an email alert that says something to the effect of: "Hey, our building might blow up." I'm fairly confident this would be bad for productivity.
In other news, there are definitely more security cameras than ever downtown. I realized that I hadn't noticed them because many are the round 360 degrees cameras. Normally, the number of these cameras monitoring our every move in Orweillian fashion would bother me. But, given my recently developed phobia of my building blowing up, I am not as bothered by the cameras as I otherwise would be.
Still, it would be nice to see an end to this 1984 style of surveillance after the Olympics. The rainbow security system and potential bomb threats can go too.
Now, for security reasons, I can't divulge the actual colour scheme/threat system. However, to give you an idea, it goes something like this:
Green - No threats today (yay!)
Yellow - Proceed with caution because there is a potential, unknown, minor threat, possibly a protest (those damn protesters, always wanting to exercise their right to free speech. How dare they threaten my office building with their cardboard signs and chanting cries).
Orange - A definite threat of some kind in the area, such as a nearby building.
Red - A direct threat to the building itself, as in a bomb threat.
One would hope that they do not actually plan to send out this Code Red colour alert throughout the building. One would hope, that if there is a bomb threat, workers are told not to enter the building or are evacuated from the building to stand around outside or take a long lunch. I don't really care for the idea of receiving an email alert that says something to the effect of: "Hey, our building might blow up." I'm fairly confident this would be bad for productivity.
In other news, there are definitely more security cameras than ever downtown. I realized that I hadn't noticed them because many are the round 360 degrees cameras. Normally, the number of these cameras monitoring our every move in Orweillian fashion would bother me. But, given my recently developed phobia of my building blowing up, I am not as bothered by the cameras as I otherwise would be.
Still, it would be nice to see an end to this 1984 style of surveillance after the Olympics. The rainbow security system and potential bomb threats can go too.
Monday, January 25, 2010
No Snow on Mount Olympia . . .
It is t-minus 18 days before the Olympics arrive in the fair city of Vancouver. As I type, an ever-burning flame of Olympic passion is making its way across this great country of ours. And the flame has not, the organizers will have you know, stopped burning at any point, despite the serious efforts of protesters along the route - God is apparently on VANOC's side.
Or is He? (Or She?).
Right now, the media would have us believe that the organizers are falling over themselves with worry over the fact that there is so little snow in the Vancouver region.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2010/01/20/bc-cypress-mountain-no-snow.html
I note that some of us - those of us who live here - are actually really pleased about this. The weather has been gorgeous for this time of year. And if you read the article, it becomes clear that the organizers were ready for this possibility. This isn't the first time Cypress Mountain has been closed in January. And while I am sure that laying down straw and putting fake snow on top (a seemingly bizarre and counter-intuitive way to build a ski or snowboarding course) is a lot more expensive than crossing our fingers and counting on Mother Nature, the Olympics is already costing somewhere around 6 billion dollars, so this is really just a penny in the bucket.
A lot of people are concerned about how much the Olympics will cost, for example:
http://www.vancouversun.com/Sports/Olympics+bill+tops+billion/1207886/story.html
But a good party always calls for a lot of hooplah and a lot of bling. I think even the naysayers would be a little bit embarrassed if Canada didn't make a good showing (isn't it embarrassing enough that the new Canada Line platforms they built to hold the "millions" of Olympic visitors are about the size of a Starbucks?)
Personally, I am on the fence about the Olympics. Of course, like some people, I am concerned about the loss of civil liberties and free speech I may experience as a Vancouverite (for example, I am not actually sure that I would be allowed into an event if I was wearing a pro-Pepsi t-shirt. I hope no one tells Quebec about this). For more on these and other concerns, check out:
Ivan is definitely in the anti-Olympic camp. Let's just be honest - Ivan is a bit of Bob Downer. I mean, demise of Vancouver? Homelessness, poverty, environmental destruction, security monitoring, bills, bills, bills, etc, etc, etc. But then again, if you want to throw a good party . . .
And I'm sure that everything will go back to normal once everyone goes home. Except, of course, for that post-party-Olympic-debt-hangover. I wonder if anyone knows any good Olympic hangover remedies. Maybe Italy? Gregor Robertson should call them.
At least, by the time it is all over, it will practically be spring. And if it's not snowing now, then it seems likely that it will not be snowing then. Fingers crossed.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Olympia Rising . . .
In exactly 21 days - 3 weeks - the Olympics will descend on a city that I know and love, and where I happen to live. On February 12, the Olympic torch will blaze its way down the streets of Vancouver to its final destination. The Torch will be lit - the Games will begin.
If it were only so simple.
For those of us who live in Vancouver, watching and enduring the city prepare for the Olympics has been an intense process (maybe not like training for the luge event, but intense, like watching a two-year-old playing catch with a blackberry). Vancouverites have endured seemingly endless construction that tore up and occasionally shut down core parts of the city, fighting and distress among various interest groups, and incessant worrying about possible problems: Will the Olympics bankrupt the city? Will the Olympic increase homelessness? Will the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee, otherwise known as VANOC, take away all our civil rights? (Answers: quite possibly, probably and mostly yes).
But now that the event is actually upon us - there is a certain excitement in the air. Most of the areas that were under construction are starting to shape up and look quite nice. The new Canada Line Sky Train is running, and is a super convenient addition to public transit (except for the fact that all of the platforms are far too small - there is no reasonable explanation for this). Some of the people who were adamantly opposed to the Olympics are excited about an event they plan to attend (assuming they get in after waiting 2-3 hours in airport security style line ups - check out http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/bag-checks-metal-detectors-hours-in-line-its-not-the-airport-its-the-olympics/article1437175/).
The Olympics have changed, and are continuing to change, this city. Some of the changes are permanent (the Canada Line), some are hopefully going to go away immediately following the games (loss of our civil rights) or eventually (incredible debt).
Over the next 3 weeks, and continuing into the Olympics, I plan to blog the changes I notice around the city. The great, the good, the bad, the uglier than the Canadian Olympic uniforms for the Beijing summer games (seriously - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4MpkUL51ao).
Here are just a few key changes that have happened in the city (in no particular order):
1. Bizarre, abstract public art is suddenly everywhere. It's as if Vancouver/Canada suddenly decided the arts were important and deserved funding and went on a mad, drunken art shopping spree. Particularly remarkable pieces include the giant silver fallopian tubes in Vanier Park, the maniacally laughing statuary on the corner of Davie and Denman near English Bay, and the random assortment of fish, houses, totem poles and corporate sponsored trees at Georgia and Granville (These comments are not intended as criticisms of the artists - I fully support public art, even if some of it is not my personal taste. I do actually quite like the house under construction piece. However, it seems a bit disingenuous for the government to start suddenly pretending to support the arts).
2. Apparently there is a huge new list of city bylaws that prohibit anyone from putting up signs that say bad things about the Olympics or Olympic sponsors. This includes putting up a sign in your own apartment window. I have not actually read this legislation, but lots of people are annoyed about it (I think most of them haven't read it either).
3. Beautiful David Lam park has been taken over by a humungous half of a Coke can. It takes you a while to realize that it is a half of a Coke can. Just keep staring - you will see it eventually.
4. Skating is back at Robson Square! And there is stage where bands play! And it is bigger! And yet, remarkably, and quite clearly, not big enough. If there are a hundred people on the ice, it's much too crowded. There are inevitably going to be lineups when they reach capacity. What were they thinking of?
5. Granville street is open again! Joy! And with large, nicely paved streets! But strangely, weird post things that allow cars to park on the sidewalks. At least they have re-planted all the trees they chopped down to widen the streets.
6. There are more tourists already. I am not sure why they have arrived so early, but it is nice to have visitors.
7. There are also far more police checks on the Sky Train. It is unbelievable. Almost every time I take the Sky Train now I have to show my ticket.
8. There are all these signs along certain streets that say "No parking between February 4-February 28."
9. Apparently there are more surveillance cameras. To be honest, I haven't noticed. I am guessing they are discrete. If someone sees one, please let me know.
10. Anticipating Transit Panic: Every organization and business I know is sending me all these transit tips for the Olympics. Apparently downtown will be a disaster. On the highway to Whistler, there are signs that tell you to plan ahead for long delays during the Olympics. As if planning ahead would help. Maybe they mean you should bring water and snack? Possibly a full meal? You could be sitting there a while . . .
During a big event like this, some changes are to be expected. Some good, some neutral, some bad, some ridiculous. And as I keep noticing them, I will keep recording them.
If any Vancouverites have thoughts to add, please comment or write to me. If any visitors see something bizarre, and want to know if Vancouver is really like this, please write to me, and I will be happy to find an answer to your question (And if the question was does Vancouver usually have this much bizarre, abstract street art, the answer is no - as noted above, they brought it in just for you. Lucky us).
If it were only so simple.
For those of us who live in Vancouver, watching and enduring the city prepare for the Olympics has been an intense process (maybe not like training for the luge event, but intense, like watching a two-year-old playing catch with a blackberry). Vancouverites have endured seemingly endless construction that tore up and occasionally shut down core parts of the city, fighting and distress among various interest groups, and incessant worrying about possible problems: Will the Olympics bankrupt the city? Will the Olympic increase homelessness? Will the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee, otherwise known as VANOC, take away all our civil rights? (Answers: quite possibly, probably and mostly yes).
But now that the event is actually upon us - there is a certain excitement in the air. Most of the areas that were under construction are starting to shape up and look quite nice. The new Canada Line Sky Train is running, and is a super convenient addition to public transit (except for the fact that all of the platforms are far too small - there is no reasonable explanation for this). Some of the people who were adamantly opposed to the Olympics are excited about an event they plan to attend (assuming they get in after waiting 2-3 hours in airport security style line ups - check out http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/bag-checks-metal-detectors-hours-in-line-its-not-the-airport-its-the-olympics/article1437175/).
The Olympics have changed, and are continuing to change, this city. Some of the changes are permanent (the Canada Line), some are hopefully going to go away immediately following the games (loss of our civil rights) or eventually (incredible debt).
Over the next 3 weeks, and continuing into the Olympics, I plan to blog the changes I notice around the city. The great, the good, the bad, the uglier than the Canadian Olympic uniforms for the Beijing summer games (seriously - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4MpkUL51ao).
Here are just a few key changes that have happened in the city (in no particular order):
1. Bizarre, abstract public art is suddenly everywhere. It's as if Vancouver/Canada suddenly decided the arts were important and deserved funding and went on a mad, drunken art shopping spree. Particularly remarkable pieces include the giant silver fallopian tubes in Vanier Park, the maniacally laughing statuary on the corner of Davie and Denman near English Bay, and the random assortment of fish, houses, totem poles and corporate sponsored trees at Georgia and Granville (These comments are not intended as criticisms of the artists - I fully support public art, even if some of it is not my personal taste. I do actually quite like the house under construction piece. However, it seems a bit disingenuous for the government to start suddenly pretending to support the arts).
2. Apparently there is a huge new list of city bylaws that prohibit anyone from putting up signs that say bad things about the Olympics or Olympic sponsors. This includes putting up a sign in your own apartment window. I have not actually read this legislation, but lots of people are annoyed about it (I think most of them haven't read it either).
3. Beautiful David Lam park has been taken over by a humungous half of a Coke can. It takes you a while to realize that it is a half of a Coke can. Just keep staring - you will see it eventually.
4. Skating is back at Robson Square! And there is stage where bands play! And it is bigger! And yet, remarkably, and quite clearly, not big enough. If there are a hundred people on the ice, it's much too crowded. There are inevitably going to be lineups when they reach capacity. What were they thinking of?
5. Granville street is open again! Joy! And with large, nicely paved streets! But strangely, weird post things that allow cars to park on the sidewalks. At least they have re-planted all the trees they chopped down to widen the streets.
6. There are more tourists already. I am not sure why they have arrived so early, but it is nice to have visitors.
7. There are also far more police checks on the Sky Train. It is unbelievable. Almost every time I take the Sky Train now I have to show my ticket.
8. There are all these signs along certain streets that say "No parking between February 4-February 28."
9. Apparently there are more surveillance cameras. To be honest, I haven't noticed. I am guessing they are discrete. If someone sees one, please let me know.
10. Anticipating Transit Panic: Every organization and business I know is sending me all these transit tips for the Olympics. Apparently downtown will be a disaster. On the highway to Whistler, there are signs that tell you to plan ahead for long delays during the Olympics. As if planning ahead would help. Maybe they mean you should bring water and snack? Possibly a full meal? You could be sitting there a while . . .
During a big event like this, some changes are to be expected. Some good, some neutral, some bad, some ridiculous. And as I keep noticing them, I will keep recording them.
If any Vancouverites have thoughts to add, please comment or write to me. If any visitors see something bizarre, and want to know if Vancouver is really like this, please write to me, and I will be happy to find an answer to your question (And if the question was does Vancouver usually have this much bizarre, abstract street art, the answer is no - as noted above, they brought it in just for you. Lucky us).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)